Identity Theft

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, please contact the Wheat Ridge Police Department to make a report. You can do this by calling the Telephone Reporting Unit at 303-235-2944 or coming to police headquarters at 7500 W. 29th Avenue.

Once you have filed the initial police report and have a case number, please complete the Identity Theft Reporting Packet and return it to the police department within 30 days of your initial report. This detailed packet will assist our detectives with your case.

Tips to Prevent Identity Theft

Take a Need to Know Approach

When dealing with valuable personal information, citizens should be extremely careful and follow these tips:

Do not give out any personal information if you are not certain of who you are talking with and why they need the information.

Be careful even if you think you know who you are talking with. A good rule of thumb is to take the caller's name and phone number. You can call them back after you verify the validity of their call to you.

If someone calls you and says they are from your bank and that they need to verify your information, do not provide them with any information at all. No bank will ever ask you to verify information, they already have it.

Don't have your phone number, Social Security Number, or driver license number printed on the checks.

Outgoing Mail

Use the post office during normal business hours

Try not to use your residential mail box for mailing bills

Never place mail in an outside blue post office mail box if your mail will sit overnight

Traveling

Have your mail held at the post office

Have someone you trust pick up your mail

Check with your bank on a regular basis

Avoid phone calls in public areas

Internet

Never respond to any unsolicited emails, even if they say they are from your bank and they provide you with the secure website link

Never respond to emails claiming you have won a lottery

When buying on Craig's List or EBay, use your credit card or PayPal. This way you can dispute the charges if you don't receive the item.

When selling on Craig's List or EBay, do not accept or cash checks that are for more than the item sold for. If you are asked to cash the check and then send the item and the difference back to the buyer, don't do it.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Beware of unknown persons who are close enough to overhear your conversations on the phone

Be careful when giving your credit card information over the phone

Dumpster Diving

It is important to shred all documents that contain personal information because criminals will go through your trash to obtain personal information by finding any of the following:

Pre-approved credit applications

Copies of checks

Bank statements

Copies of credit card statements

Anything that shows your personal information

Keep Track of Your Credit

It is important to check your credit reports at least once a year. By law, credit reporting agencies are required to provide one free credit report to you each year. To get your free annual credit report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) 322-8228.

Credit Reporting Agencies

Contact credit reporting agencies to correct inaccurate information in your credit report or to obtain more information about your credit history.